The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-01
Special to the Register.

has been peculiarly bitter one. The
Piedmont Exposition did not close
until the 22d of October, and both
sides agree that during the progress
of the exposition nothing whatever
should be done by either side, as it
would mar the unity of the citizens
IN their enthusiastic support of the
exposition. This over, both sides
plunged into the fight with wonder
ful activity. In two days after the
exposition had been closed the fight
was on in the city in all its fury, and
excited more interest and activity
than had ever been shown in cam
paign before in this city. For over a
month the citizens have been en-
gagged in the contest. Meetings have
been held almost every night and
local speakers and foreign statesmen
have stumped the county from al
most every curbs one in the city and
every cross-road in the country.
Early in the campaign the prohl-
bitionists leased the largest ware.
house in the city and fitted it up with
e seating capacity for 5000 people.
Almost mighty that building has
been filled and such scenes Of wild
enthusiasm are rarely witnessed.
Among the prominent prohibition
speakers who plunged fearlessly into
the fight early in the campaign
was Unlled States Senator A. II.
Colqnitt and Hon. II. ". Grady.
These were assisted by almost every
minister in the city, who preached
prohibition from their pulpits Sun
day after Sunday to deeply inter-
ested congregations. Prominent
among the preachers who led the
prohibition fight in Atlanta were
Revs. Drs. J. B. Hawthorne, II. G.
Morrison and J. w. Lee. These
three ministers entered into the fight
with wonderful zeal, spoke night af-
ter night and in almost every pre-
cinct in the county. The most prom
inent leaders ofthe anti's were Sem
ator Joseph Z. Brown, Captain E. 2.
Howell and Captain J. B. Goodwin.
Both sides had full campaign funds
and managed their respective causes
for all they were worth.
The negro vote was the bone OF
contention and the balance of power.
Each side made the most strenuous
endeavors to secure it in every way
possible. The negroes were consid-
erahly divided on the subject, though
the majority Of them voted with the
anti prohibitionists.
One of tue features Of the contest
has been the active part taken by
many women Of the city. Several OF
the churches organized committees
from among their female members,
who took an active part in the cam
paign. They organized the women
of the colored churches into societies
and met with them and prayed with
them day after day. The result of
their work vas shown to-day by the
appearance Of the large numbers of
women at the polls with blue badges.
They served not coffee and sand
wiches st every polling place and
conducted prayer meetings and sing
ing crusades in the open air.
Fulton County, in which Atlanta is
located, voted two years ago on the
same question. and went for prohi
bition by a majority Of 22S out Of
about 5000 votes. The registration
this time excreds that of last year by
1000 votes, and the excess gave
doubtful figures for either side to es-
innate on during the campaign. The
principal fight m,de on prohibition
during the campaign was that it did
not prohibit. and that intoxicating
drinks could be openly purchased in
number Of places throughout the
city which paid taxes to the United
States Government for the sale OF
whisky. Thousands of gallons have
been sent in each month from cities
around Atlanta, from which it almost
as easy to get jug as it was at the
bars in the city.
The anti's claim that prohibition
injure;; the city, which was yielding
$4,000 year on whisky licenses,
without decreasing in the slightest
the amount Of whisky sold in the city.
The proilibitionists, on the other
hand claimed that Atlanta has never
had prohibition; that while it was so
voted two years agc. the licenses
then existing did not expire, some OF
them. until almost year ago. and
that since that time the domestic
wine clause in the local option bill
allowed many places in the city by
which the law could be easily evaded
This was. however. retnedied by the
last Legislature. which put license
of $4,000 on all wine rooms. which
license will 90 into effect after Jan
uarv lst next. The prohibitionists
claimed that with the wine rooms Out
of the city there would he no places
for the easy evasion Of the law, il
the officers would properly enforce it
The result to day shows public
opinion On this subject. The city
has gone wet by probably 1000 ma
iority. Great enthusiasm prevails
on the streets.
LATER.
ATLANTA, Nov. 26-10 I. NJ -
Specisl).-The majority for the we
ticket just counted out is 1.l4o. The
widest excitement prevailed whcr
the result became known. Every
ward in the city and every preclnc'
IN the county save one vo.ed for the
sale Of iiquor.